Printing method and apparatus, print control method, and multimedia apparatus

ABSTRACT

A printing method and apparatus, a print control method, and a multimedia apparatus are provided. The printing method includes receiving a multimedia file or additional information of the multimedia file from a multimedia apparatus; interpreting the multimedia file or the additional information of the multimedia and obtaining at least one item included in the additional information; and printing the obtained at least one item.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/332,587, filed Jan. 17, 2006, which claims priority from KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2005-0005860, filed on Jan. 21, 2005, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing method and apparatus, aprint control method, a multimedia apparatus, and a computer-readablerecording medium on which programs for executing the methods arerecorded.

2. Description of the Related Art

MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) and Windows Media Audio (WMA) files recentlysold or used over the Internet contain various metadata using a taggingformat, such as ID3 tags. If data is not contained in an MP3 or WMAfile, a user can add the data. While listening to an audio/music file,such as MP3 or WMA audio/music files, a user can view lyrics of theaudio/music file displayed on an LCD display. Sometimes, a user may wishto print the lyrics. In particular, if a user studies English using anMP3 or WMA audio file, the user may wish to extract the contents of theaudio file and read the extracted contents while listening to the audiofile.

Portable multimedia products recently released not only play music butalso provide the capability to reproduce moving images, offer imageviewers, and print images or texts. If images or texts can be printed,it is also possible to print multimedia meta information of an audiofile.

A method of printing metadata contained in an audio file, which is atype of multimedia file, will now be described by way of example. Thereare several methods of printing lyrics of, for example, an audio file.One typical method involves searching for the lyrics on the internet. Inthis typical method, if a music file does not contain lyrics, a usersearches for the lyrics on the Internet using a personal computer (PC),downloads the lyrics, and prints the lyrics using a printer.

FIG. 1A is a flowchart illustrating a conventional method of printinglyrics of an MP3 music file. Referring to FIG. 1A, lyrics of an MP3music file are searched for on the Internet using a PC (operation 11). Alyrics file found is downloaded to the PC (operation 12). The lyricsfile is read using a text editor that supports a print function(operation 13). The read lyrics file is printed using a printerconnected to the PC (operation 14).

Another method can be used for a music file that contains lyrics asmetadata. In this case, the music file is downloaded from an editor thatsupports parsing of the metadata and the music file is printed using aprinter.

FIG. 1B is a flowchart illustrating another conventional method ofprinting lyrics of a music file. Referring to FIG. 1B, an audio file isread using an editor that can parse audio metadata (operation 21) andprinted using a printer connected to a PC (operation 22).

As described above, to print lyrics of a song while listening to thesong, a user has to search the Internet for data containing the lyricsof the song and print the data. Alternatively, if a music file includesmetadata, the music file must be transferred to the PC, loaded to aneditor on the PC, which can parse metadata, and printed.

However, such methods require a lot of processes. Those who are PC savvymay easily handle such processes. However, it is inconvenient anddifficult for those who are not PC savvy to carry out such processes.Also, for printing, a printer driver must be installed in a PC.

Recently, the contents of audio files, such as MP3 and WMA files, haveincreasingly become fee-based content. When sold, these audio filesalready contain metadata containing basic information, such as title,artist, album, genre, year and lyrics. Therefore, there is no need for auser to input such information, and such fee-based contents are becomingmore popular.

As cameras become more versatile, it is possible to print images or textpictures using a direct print function of a camera as well as manageimage files. However, it is not possible to print other multimedia metainformation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a printing method and apparatus, a printcontrol method, a multimedia apparatus, and a computer-readablerecording medium on which programs for executing the methods arerecorded, which enable a user to easily print metadata of an audio fileby reading the metadata directly from a memory card, or using a USB orBluetooth transmission method.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aprinting method including: receiving additional information of amultimedia file from a multimedia apparatus, interpreting the additionalinformation of the multimedia file and obtaining at least one itemincluded in the additional information, and printing the obtained atleast one item.

The receiving of the additional information of the multimedia file mayinclude receiving a print request which requests printing of theadditional information of the multimedia file from the multimediaapparatus, requesting the additional information of the multimedia filefrom the multimedia apparatus, in response to the print request which isreceived, and receiving the additional information of the multimediafile from the multimedia apparatus, in response to the request for theadditional information.

The at least one item may include at least one of title, artist, genre,lyrics, and thumbnail image data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printing method including receiving a request to print additionalinformation of a multimedia file from a multimedia apparatus, requestingat least one item which is included in the additional information fromthe multimedia apparatus, in response to the request, receiving the atleast one item which is requested, and printing the at least one itemwhich is received.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printing method including reading a multimedia file from a removablememory device that stores the multimedia file, interpreting additionalinformation of the multimedia file and obtaining at least one itemincluded in the additional information, and printing the obtained atleast one item.

The at least one item may include items selected by a user though a userinterface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda print control method used by a multimedia apparatus. The controlmethod includes transmitting a print request which requests printing ofa multimedia file to a printing apparatus, receiving a request toprovide additional information of the multimedia file from the printingapparatus, in response to the print request, and transmitting theadditional information of the multimedia file to the printing apparatussuch that the additional information is printed, in response to therequest to provide the additional information.

The transmitting of the additional information includes interpreting theadditional information of the multimedia file, obtaining at least oneitem included in the additional information, and transmitting theadditional information to the printing apparatus in units of items.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printing apparatus including a control unit which interpretsadditional information of a multimedia file received from a multimediaapparatus and extracts at least one item included in the additionalinformation, and a print control unit which prints the extracted atleast one item.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printing apparatus including a control unit which requests amultimedia apparatus to provide at least one item included in additionalinformation of a multimedia file in response to a print request whichrequests printing of the additional information of the multimedia filefrom the multimedia apparatus, receiving the at least one item which isrequested, and providing the at least one item to a print control unit,and a print control unit which prints the received at least one item.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printing apparatus including a control unit which reads a multimediafile from a removable memory device that stores the multimedia file,interprets additional information of the multimedia, and extracts atleast one item included in the additional information, and a printcontrol unit printing the extracted at least one item.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda multimedia apparatus including a control unit which transmits a printrequest which requests printing of a multimedia file to a printingapparatus, receiving a request for additional information of themultimedia file from the printing apparatus, in response to the printrequest, and transmits the additional information of the multimedia fileto the printing apparatus such that the additional information isprinted, in response to the request to provide the additionalinformation, and a storing unit storing the multimedia file.

A computer-readable recording medium on which a program which executes aprinting method is recorded, the method including interpretingadditional information of a multimedia file received from a multimediaapparatus and obtaining at least one item included in the additionalinformation, and controlling a printing engine to print the obtained atleast one item.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda computer-readable recording medium on which a program which executes aprint control method used by a multimedia apparatus is recorded, themethod including transmitting a print request which requests printing ofa multimedia file to the printing apparatus, receiving a request toprovide additional information of the multimedia file from the printingapparatus, in response to the print request, and transmitting theadditional information of the multimedia file to the printing apparatussuch that the additional information is printed, in response to therequest to provide the additional information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a flowchart illustrating a conventional method of printinglyrics of a music file;

FIG. 1B is a flowchart illustrating another conventional method ofprinting lyrics of a music file;

FIG. 2 illustrates a system configuration for printing meta informationof a multimedia file according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate the configuration of an audio file usedin an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of printing meta information of amultimedia file according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of printing meta information of amultimedia file according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of a print host according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates the configuration of a print host according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates the configuration of a print client according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of meta information of a multimedia fileprinted according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to theexemplary embodiments set forth therein; rather, these exemplaryembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for printing meta information of amultimedia file according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 2, the system includes a print client 200,a print host 400, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface 300connecting the print client 200 to the print host 400 such that theprint client 200 and the print host 400 can communicate with each other.

In FIG. 2, a digital camera is shown as the print client 200 by way ofexample. However, the print client 200 according to the presentinvention is not limited to the digital camera. The print client 200 maybe any apparatus that provides video, audio, still image, or othermultimedia functions. For example, the print client 200 may be a digitalstill camera (DSC), a digital video camcorder (DVC), a portable mediaplayer (PMP), a portable communications terminal, or a PC application.

In addition, In FIG. 2, a general printer is shown as the print host 400by way of example. However, the print host 400 according to the presentinvention is not limited to the printer. Any apparatus that provides aprint function may be used as the print host 400.

A USB interface enables an apparatus, such as a PC or a digital camera,to be connected to a printer. Hence, the printer can receive image datafrom a digital camera via the USB interface and print the image data.However, in the system according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the printer, i.e., the print host 400, may not alwaysbe connected to the digital camera, i.e., the print client 200, by theUSB interface 300. A plurality of interfaces for wireless communicationsand other types of interfaces for wired communications may also be used.For example, a plurality of interfaces, such as infrared communicationinterfaces and Bluetooth wireless communication interfaces, may beprovided as the USB interface 300.

In this system, if the print client 200, which is a multimedia provider,generates a print command to print meta information of a multimedia fileand sends the print command to the print host 400 via the USB interface300, the print host 400 may receive and parse the multimedia file or themeta information of the multimedia file, and print the parsed multimediafile or the parsed meta information of the multimedia file in responseto the print command. Alternatively, the print host 400 may request theprint client 200 for items included in the meta information of themultimedia file. Then, the print client 200 may obtain the items byparsing the meta information and transmit the items to the print host400 one by one.

A multimedia file used in an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention includes an audio file, a video file, and a file for languagestudy purposes. Each multimedia file contains data and additionalinformation regarding the data. Such additional information is alsocalled meta information.

FIG. 3A illustrates the configuration of an audio file used in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The audio file is amultimedia file whose metadata can be printed. The format of the audiofile is shown in FIG. 3A. The audio file is composed of audio metainformation and audio data. The audio meta information is informationregarding the audio data. For example, the audio meta informationincludes title, artist, album, genre, year, lyrics, and thumbnail imagedata.

FIG. 3B illustrates the configuration of a video file used in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The video file iscomposed of video meta information and video data. The video metainformation is information regarding the video data. For example, thevideo meta information includes title, genre, year, subtitle, andthumbnail image data.

FIG. 3C illustrates the configuration of a file for language studypurposes used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thefile for language study purposes is composed of meta information of datafor language study purposes and the data for language study purposes.The meta information of the data for language study purposes isinformation regarding the data for language study purposes. For example,the meta information includes title, text, and thumbnail image data.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of printing meta information of amultimedia file according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 4, a multimedia device includes the printclient 200, and a print device includes the print host 400. The printclient 200 is included in the multimedia device to support a printfunction according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.The print host 400 is included in a print device to the print device tosupport the print function according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

A printing operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. The printclient 200 transmits a print request command to the print host 400(operation 41). Such a print request command transmitted from the printclient 200 to the print host 400 may include meta information of amultimedia file to be printed and identification information of themultimedia file.

The print host 400, which receives the print request command, transmitsa data request command for requesting data of the multimedia file to beprinted to the print client 200 (operation 42).

The print client 200 receives the data request command and provides therequested multimedia file or the meta information included in themultimedia file to the print host 400.

The print host 400 receives the multimedia file or the meta informationincluded in the multimedia file. When receiving the multimedia file, theprint host 400 extracts the meta information from the multimedia file,obtains one or more items included in the meta information by parsingthe meta information, and prints the one or more items. Items refer toelements included in meta information. For example, if the multimediafile is an audio file, items of the multimedia file may include title,artist, album, genre, year, lyrics, and thumbnail image data. Whenreceiving the meta information of the multimedia file, the print host400 obtains one or more items by parsing the meta information and printsthe one or more items.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of printing meta information of amultimedia file according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the printhost 400 parses meta information of a multimedia file. However, in theexemplary embodiment illustrated FIG. 5, print client 200 parses metainformation of a multimedia file.

Referring to FIG. 5, the print client 200 transmits a print requestcommand to a print host 400 (operation 51). Such a print request commandtransmitted from the print client 200 to the print host 400 may includemeta information of a multimedia file to be printed, identificationinformation of the multimedia file, and information regarding one ormore items included in the meta information. If the multimedia file isan audio file, the information regarding the items of the multimediafile may include title, artist, album, genre, year, lyrics, andthumbnail image data.

The print host 400, which receives the print request command, transmitsa data request command for requesting the items included in the metainformation of the multimedia file to be printed to the print client200. For example, the print host 400 may request title data, which isone of the items (operation 52).

The print client 200, which receives the data request command, obtains,for example, the title data by parsing the meta information included inthe requested multimedia file and provides the title data to the printhost 400. The print host 400 receives the title data from the printclient 200 and stores the title data. The print host 400 may also obtaindata for other items included in the meta information by performingoperations 51 and 52.

The print host 400 finally requests lyrics data, which is also one ofthe items (operation 54). The print client 200, which receives thelyrics data request command, obtains the requested lyrics data from theparsed meta information and provides the lyrics data to the print host400 (operation 55).

The print host 400 receives the lyrics data and prints item data, whichwas received from the print client 200 so far, according to apredetermined format.

FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of a print host 600 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, theprint host 600 includes a control unit 610, a communication unit 620,and a print control unit 630.

The control unit 610 controls each element and processing operation ofthe print host 600. In other words, the control unit 610 of the printhost 600 controls the operation of a printer. The control unit 610includes a central processing unit (CPU) 611, a read-only memory (ROM)storing programs executed by the CPU 611, a random-access memory (RAM)used as a work area of the CPU 611 and to temporarily store variousdata, and other related devices.

The communication unit 620 provides a communication function between aprint client and the print host 600. In other words, the communicationunit 620 transmits and receives data between the print client and theprint host 600.

Under the control of the control unit 610, the print control unit 630controls a print engine to print meta information of a multimedia file.The print control unit 630 may include the print engine.

The control unit 610 includes the CPU 611, a storing unit 612, and aparsing unit 613. The CPU 611 interprets a command transmitted from theprint client and transmits a response to the interpreted command to theprint client. The CPU 611 also controls the storing unit 612, thecommunication unit 620, and the parsing unit 613.

The storing unit 612 stores a multimedia file, meta information of themultimedia file or item data of the meta information transmitted fromthe print client via the communication unit 620.

The parsing unit 613 reads the multimedia file or the meta informationof the multimedia file and obtains one or more item data contained inthe meta information by parsing the meta information.

The operation of the print host 600 of FIG. 6 will now be described.When receiving a print request command from the print client 200 via thecommunication unit 620, the CPU 611 transmits a data request command tothe print client via the communication unit 620. If the print host 600supports parsing of meta information according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the CPU 611 transmits a datarequest command for requesting a multimedia file or meta information ofthe multimedia file. If the print client parses meta informationaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theCPU 611 transmits a data request command for requesting each of itemsincluded in the meta information.

The multimedia file, the meta information of the multimedia file, oritem data received via the communication unit 620 as a result of suchdata requests are stored in the storing unit 612. If the item data isstored in the storing unit 612, the item data is transmitted to theprint control unit 630, which then controls a printing unit (not shown)to print the item data. If the multimedia file or the meta informationof the multimedia file is stored in the storing unit 612, the parsingunit 613 retrieves the multimedia file or the meta information of themultimedia file from the storing unit 612, parses the meta informationof the multimedia file, and obtains item data contained in the metainformation. The item data obtained by the parsing unit 613 istransmitted to the print control unit 630, which then controls theprinting unit to print the item data.

FIG. 7 illustrates the configuration of a print host 700 according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.7, the print host 700 includes a control unit 710, a communication unit720, a memory card 730, and a print control unit 740.

The control unit 710 controls each element and processing operation ofthe print host 700. In other words, the control unit 710 of the printhost 700 controls the operation of a printer. The control unit 710includes a CPU 711, a ROM storing programs executed by the CPU 711, aRAM used as a work area of the CPU 711 and temporarily storing variousdata, and other related devices.

The communication unit 720 provides a communication function between aprint client and the print host 700. In other words, the communicationunit 720 transmits and receives data between the print client and theprint host 700.

The memory card 730 is a removable memory card and can be inserted intoa slot of the print host 700. The memory card 730, which is used in amultimedia device such as a digital camera, may also be loaded into theprint host 800.

Under the control of the control unit 710, the print control unit 740controls a print engine to print meta information of a multimedia file.The print control unit 740 may include the print engine.

The control unit 710 includes the CPU 711, a user interface 712, and aparsing unit 713. The CPU 711 interprets a command transmitted from theprint client and transmits a response to the print client, based on theinterpretation of the command. The CPU 711 also controls the userinterface 712, the communication unit 720, the parsing unit 713, and thememory card 730.

The user interface 712 outputs information regarding the multimedia filestored in the memory card 730 and the composition of each item of themeta information of the multimedia file to provide such information to auser. Also, the user interface 712 receives information regarding aselection by the user and provides the information to the CPU 711. AnLCD display or a touch screen may be used as the user interface 712.

The parsing unit 713 reads the multimedia file or the meta informationof the multimedia file from the memory card 730, parses the metainformation, and obtains one or more item data contained in the metainformation.

The operation of the print host 700 will now be described. Whendetecting that the memory card 730 is inserted into the slot of theprint host 700, the CPU 711 provides information regarding multimediafiles or information regarding items included in meta information of themultimedia files to the user interface 712 such that the user interface712 outputs the information. Then, a user selects a multimedia file thatthe user desires to print or an item included in the meta information.Accordingly, the user interface 712 provides information regarding theselection by the user to the CPU 711. The CPU 711 provides theinformation to the parsing unit 713, which then parses the information.

When receiving the information regarding a multimedia file or an itemselected by the user, the parsing unit 713 reads the selected multimediafile and parses meta information included in the selected multimediafile. If the user selects all multimedia files, the parsing unit 713provides all of the item data that is obtained by parsing metainformation of all multimedia files to the print control unit 740 suchthat all of the item data can be output. If the user selects some of themultimedia files, the parsing unit 713 provides only the selected itemsto the print control unit 740 such that the selected items can beoutput.

FIG. 8 illustrates the configuration of a print client 800 according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8,the print client 800 includes a control unit 810, a storing unit 820,and a communication unit 830.

The control unit 810 controls the entire operation of the print client800. In particular, the control unit 810 transmits a print requestcommand to a print host via the communication unit 830 or interprets acommand transmitted from the print host and provides a response or datato the print host based on the interpretation of the command.

The storing unit 820 stores multimedia files. The communication unit 830provides a communication function between the print client 800 and theprint host. In other words, the communication unit 830 transmits andreceives data between the print client 800 and the print host.

If the print host parses meta information of a multimedia file, theprint client 800 provides only a multimedia file or meta information ofthe multimedia file to the print host. If the print client 800 parsesmeta information of a multimedia file and provides each item to theprint host, the print client 800 must include a parser that can parsemeta information of a multimedia file. In FIG. 8, such a parser is notshown.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of meta information of a multimedia fileprinted according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.For example, if meta information of an audio file is printed, thumbnailimage, title, artist, genre, year, and lyrics data may be printed asillustrated in FIG. 9.

As described above, exemplary embodiments of the present inventionprovide a method of easily printing metadata information of a multimediafile without using a PC. Therefore, a user can easily print metadatainformation of a multimedia file without going through complicatedprocesses.

Since image or texts can be transmitted using a conventional USB orBluetooth transmission method, no hardware change is required. Thus, asoftware module can be added to current protocol without significantlyincreasing costs.

In addition, memory media can be directly inserted into a print device,and the same level of printing performance as when using the USB orBluetooth data transmission method can be achieved.

In the case of an audio file for language study purposes, printedoutputs of synchronized audio data can be easily obtained withoutrequiring a user to read from a textbook.

Further, aspects of the present invention can be applied to DSCs, DVCs,PMPs, cell phones, PC applications, printers, and all printing relateddevices.

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also beimplemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recordingmedium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storagedevice that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computersystem. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium includeread-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetictapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices.

The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code isstored and executed in a distributed fashion. Also, functional programs,codes, and code segments for accomplishing aspects of present inventioncan be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which thepresent invention pertains.

While aspects of the present invention have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes inform and details may be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing method in a printer, comprising:receiving, by the printer and from a multimedia apparatus, additionalinformation which is extracted from a digital multimedia file;interpreting, by the printer, the additional information which isreceived and obtaining at least one item which is included in theadditional information; and printing, by the printer, the at least oneitem which is obtained, wherein the additional information of thedigital multimedia file is stored within the digital multimedia file,wherein the receiving the additional information of the digitalmultimedia file comprises receiving, by the printer and from themultimedia apparatus, a print request which requests printing of theadditional information of the digital multimedia file, and wherein theprinter receives the extracted additional information, separately fromthe digital multimedia file.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thereceiving the additional information of the digital multimedia filefurther comprises: requesting the additional information of the digitalmultimedia file from the multimedia apparatus, in response to the printrequest which is received; and receiving the additional information ofthe digital multimedia file from the multimedia apparatus, in responseto the request for the additional information.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one item which is included in the additionalinformation includes at least one of a title, an artist, a genre,lyrics, or thumbnail image data.
 4. A printing method in a printercomprising: receiving, by the printer and from a multimedia apparatus, aprint request to print additional information of a digital multimediafile; requesting, by the printer and from the multimedia apparatus, atleast one item which is included in the additional information which isextracted from the digital multimedia file, in response to the receivedprint request; receiving, by the printer, the at least one item which isrequested; and printing, by the printer, the at least one item which isreceived, wherein the additional information of the digital multimediafile is stored within the digital multimedia file, and wherein theprinter receives the at least one item separately from the digitalmultimedia file.
 5. A method controlling a printing apparatus by amultimedia apparatus, the method comprising: transmitting, from themultimedia apparatus, a print request which requests printing of adigital multimedia file to a printing apparatus; receiving a request toprovide additional information of the digital multimedia file from theprinting apparatus, in response to the print request; and transmittingthe additional information which is extracted from the digitalmultimedia file to the printing apparatus such that the additionalinformation is printed, in response to the request to provide theadditional information which is received, wherein the additionalinformation of the digital multimedia file is stored within the digitalmultimedia file, and wherein the multimedia apparatus transmits theextracted additional information to the printing apparatus, separatelyfrom the digital multimedia file.
 6. The print control method of claim5, wherein the transmitting of the additional information comprisesinterpreting the additional information of the digital multimedia file,obtaining at least one item which is included in the additionalinformation, and transmitting the additional information to the printingapparatus in units of items.
 7. A printing apparatus comprising: acontrol unit which interprets additional information which is extractedfrom a digital multimedia file which is received from a multimediaapparatus and extracts at least one item which is included in theadditional information; and a print control unit which prints the atleast one item which is extracted, wherein the additional information ofthe digital multimedia file is stored within the digital multimediafile, wherein the control unit receives a request to print theadditional information of the digital multimedia file from themultimedia apparatus, and wherein the control unit receives theextracted additional information, separately from the digital multimediafile.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit requests themultimedia apparatus to provide the additional information of thedigital multimedia file, in response to the request, and the controlunit receives the additional information of the digital multimedia filefrom the multimedia apparatus.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theat least one item includes at least one of a title, an artist, a genre,lyrics, or thumbnail image data.
 10. A printing apparatus comprising: acontrol unit which requests a multimedia apparatus to provide at leastone item which is included in additional information which is extractedfrom a digital multimedia file in response to a print request, from themultimedia apparatus, which requests printing of the additionalinformation of the digital multimedia file, receives the at least oneitem which is requested, and provides the at least one item which isreceived to a print control unit; and a print control unit which printsthe at least one item which is received, wherein the additionalinformation of the digital multimedia file is stored within the digitalmultimedia file, and wherein the control unit receives the at least oneitem, separately from the digital multimedia file.
 11. A multimediaapparatus comprising: a control unit which transmits a print requestwhich requests printing of a digital multimedia file to a printingapparatus, receives a request to provide additional information which isextracted from the digital multimedia file from the printing apparatus,in response to the print request, and transmits the additionalinformation of the digital multimedia file to the printing apparatussuch that the additional information is printed, in response to therequest to provide the additional information; and a storing unit whichstores the digital multimedia file, wherein the additional informationof the digital multimedia file is stored within the digital multimediafile, and wherein the control unit transmits the extracted additionalinformation, separately from the digital multimedia file.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the control unit interprets theadditional information of the digital multimedia file, obtains at leastone item which is included in the additional information, and transmitsthe additional information to the printing apparatus in units of items.13. A tangible computer-readable recording medium on which a programwhich executes a printing method is recorded, the method comprising:interpreting additional information which is extracted from a digitalmultimedia file which is received from a multimedia apparatus andobtaining at least one item which is included in the additionalinformation; and controlling a printing engine to print the at least oneitem which is obtained, wherein the additional information of thedigital multimedia file is stored within the digital multimedia file,wherein the interpreting comprises receiving a print request whichrequests printing of the additional information of the digitalmultimedia file from the multimedia apparatus, and wherein the extractedadditional information is received separately from the digitalmultimedia file.
 14. A tangible computer-readable recording medium onwhich a program which executes a print control method used by amultimedia apparatus is recorded, the method comprising: transmitting aprint request which requests printing of a digital multimedia file tothe printing apparatus; receiving a request to provide additionalinformation which is extracted from the digital multimedia file from theprinting apparatus, in response to the print request; and transmittingthe additional information of the digital multimedia file to theprinting apparatus such that the additional information is printed, inresponse to the request to provide the additional information, whereinthe additional information of the digital multimedia file is storedwithin the digital multimedia file, and wherein the extracted additionalinformation is transmitted to the printing apparatus, separately fromthe digital multimedia file.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein theadditional information of the digital multimedia file is metadata. 16.The method of claim 1, wherein multimedia apparatus is a digital stillcamera, a digital video camcorder, or a portable media player.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the digital multimedia file is an audio filecomprising audio meta information and audio data.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the digital multimedia file is a video file comprisingvideo meta information and video data.
 19. The method of claim 1,wherein the digital multimedia file is a file for language studypurposes comprising meta information of data for language study purposesand the data for language study purposes.
 20. The method of claim 1,wherein the printer does not receive the digital multimedia file.